Chapter Summaries

Yanran, Xiu'er, and Tang Zhuyun grew suspicious of Nanny Rong after Yanran caught her speaking secretly at night and they questioned her about a maid’s injured hand. Nanny Rong remained composed and left with the maid, while Song Jingyang’s mother, Nanny Jing, arrived at the end of the chapter.

• Yanran found Nanny Rong outside at night and suspected she had been speaking with someone hidden in the rockery.
• Yanran told Tang Zhuyun and Xiu'er what she had seen, and they suspected someone in the residence was involved.
• Nanny Rong brought an injured maid to Tang Zhuyun, while Xiu'er and Yanran hinted that the maid might have been ordered to cut herself.
• Tang Zhuyun treated the maid’s wound, and Nanny Rong took her away.
• Xiu'er warned Tang Zhuyun to be cautious of Nanny Rong and said she would ask Nanny Jing about her.
• Song Jingyang’s mother, Nanny Jing, arrived at the residence.

Tang Zhuyun examined Nanny Jing and saw that Xiu'er was pleased with Song Jingyang's mother and willing to care for her. After learning about Nanny Jing's past and her warning about Nanny Rong, Xiu'er told Tang Zhuyun that something about Nanny Rong seemed wrong.

• Xiu'er told Tang Zhuyun she would tolerate Nanny Jing for Song Jingyang's sake, but would break things off if she could no longer bear it.
• Tang Zhuyun examined Nanny Jing, found her only mildly weak, and prescribed rest and daily bird's nest; Nanny Jing gave Xiu'er a pair of gold bracelets.
• Xiu'er said she was satisfied with Nanny Jing and would care for her if Nanny Jing treated her well.
• Xiu'er told Tang Zhuyun that Nanny Jing had been a hardworking household maid, married General Banner Song, and later nursed both the Prince of Jin and Song Jingyang.
• Xiu'er reported that Nanny Jing warned her to keep her distance from Nanny Rong, whom she described as high and mighty and devoted to the old madam.
• Xiu'er told Tang Zhuyun that Nanny Rong seemed suspicious.

Tang Zhuyun and Xiu'er weighed Nanny Rong's past devotion against her recent suspicious behavior, while Tang Zhuyun welcomed Nanny Jing and grew closer to the Prince of Jin. As they prepared to enter the palace, Tang Zhuyun admitted she had willingly stepped into court intrigue because she loved him.

• Xiu'er argued that Nanny Rong's devotion to the old madam and the Prince of Jin made it unlikely she would harm Tang Zhuyun, though they still could not explain her recent behavior.
• Tang Zhuyun told Xiu'er to help Nanny Jing, and Xiu'er promised to watch Nanny Rong with Yanran and inform Linlin.
• The Prince of Jin welcomed Nanny Jing, then followed Tang Zhuyun to the kitchen while Xiu'er showed Nanny Jing around the residence.
• The Prince of Jin told Tang Zhuyun to accept Nanny Jing's gift and assured her they could repay Song Jingyang later.
• Tang Zhuyun praised the Prince of Jin for his thoughtfulness, and he asked her to keep loving him forever.
• Tang Zhuyun told the Prince of Jin she hated scheming but had chosen to enter it for his sake, and she silently affirmed her love for him.

Meng Yulan warned Tang Zhuyun that something seemed wrong in the palace and urged her to stay close to the Prince of Jin during their visit the next day. Tang Zhuyun agreed to avoid getting involved, leaving for the palace with the warning on her mind.

• Xiu'er asked Tang Zhuyun to approve her wedding to Nanny Jing's son at the end of the year, and Tang Zhuyun agreed.
• Tang Zhuyun left the Prince of Jin to visit the Tang Family home after Lüzhu delivered Meng Yulan's request.
• Tang Zhuyun saw Yanran and Cui Xiaoqiu playing a rigged crab race before meeting Meng Yulan.
• Meng Yulan told Tang Zhuyun that the emperor had spent three nights at Consort De's palace and the empress had twice summoned an imperial physician for chest pain.
• Meng Yulan urged Tang Zhuyun to say and do little in the palace, stay beside the Prince of Jin, and trust her intuition; Tang Zhuyun promised not to get involved.

Tang Zhuyun reassured Meng Yulan that she would avoid palace intrigues, while Xiu'er tried to convince Nanny Jing to remain in the capital after her marriage to Song Jingyang. That night, Tang Zhuyun and the Prince of Jin talked in bed until her menstrual period began, leaving him unsure how to care for her.

• Meng Yulan warned Tang Zhuyun not to get involved in Consort De's affairs, and Tang Zhuyun promised to behave herself.
• Xiu'er urged Nanny Jing to stay in the capital, while Song Jingyang asked his mother to remain and help care for their future child.
• Xiu'er explained to Tang Zhuyun that she wanted to repay Nanny Jing's kindness and suspected Nanny Jing was leaving to avoid causing tension with Nanny Rong.
• Tang Zhuyun and the Prince of Jin chatted in bed about Consort De's formation and the emperor's visits before Tang Zhuyun realized her period had started.
• The Prince of Jin admitted that he had little experience caring for Tang Zhuyun during her period.

Tang Zhuyun attended the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet with the Prince of Jin, where Zong Heng performed and the empress drew attention to his injured leg. The empress then pointed out that Tang Zhuyun knew medicine, apparently preparing to ask her to treat him.

• Tang Zhuyun reassured the Prince of Jin that her period was not painful, and they discussed intimate matters before sleeping in late on the Mid-Autumn Festival.
• Tang Zhuyun and the Prince of Jin set off for the palace, where they met Huaishang returning to the residence for his festival red envelope.
• At the banquet, the empress presented a talking green parrot, while Tang Zhuyun silently mocked the emperor's lack of interest and the empress's reaction.
• Zong Heng played the xiao during the banquet, then told the emperor and empress that his injured leg showed little hope of healing.
• The empress urged Zong Heng not to give up and pointed out that Tang Zhuyun knew medicine.

At the Mid-Autumn palace banquet, the Prince of Jin and Tang Zhuyun refused pressure from the empress and crown princess to treat Zong Heng’s injured leg. After the emperor postponed the matter, Tang Zhuyun stepped outside and learned that the elegant woman she had encountered was Madam Qin, one of the Four Great Wicked Women, before she came face to face with Zong Heng.

• The Prince of Jin declared that Tang Zhuyun would not treat Zong Heng, and she explained that she specialized in women and children and refused to risk treating him amid the Zong Family’s hostility.
• The crown princess protested on Zong Heng’s behalf, but the emperor postponed discussion of his leg and ordered that he be rewarded.
• The Prince of Jin said he would keep Tang Zhuyun’s father company, while Tang Zhuyun left the hall with Xiu'er to use the latrine.
• Tang Zhuyun met the heir’s wife from the Marquis of Pingyang’s Residence, then learned from Xiu'er that she was Madam Qin, one of the Four Great Wicked Women.
• On the way back, Tang Zhuyun stopped when Zong Heng appeared before her.

Tang Zhuyun rebuffed Zong Heng’s attempt to bargain for her help, and the Prince of Jin drove him away. After the palace banquet, the Prince of Jin arranged for Tang Zhuyun to receive a talking bird, but the myna arrived quiet and listless.

• Zong Heng asked Tang Zhuyun to heal his leg and offered to help her in exchange, but she refused and dismissed his attempt to sow discord between her and the Prince of Jin.
• The Prince of Jin interrupted Zong Heng, threatened him, and took Tang Zhuyun inside before asking what Zong Heng had said.
• After the Mid-Autumn palace banquet, the Prince of Jin asked Song Jingyang to find Tang Zhuyun a clever talking bird, and Chang Zhi offered to provide his myna.
• Huaishang brought Tang Zhuyun the myna the next day and explained what it ate, but it would not speak when Xiu'er tried to coax it.
• Tang Zhuyun suggested the myna might simply need time to settle in and told Xiu'er not to judge it yet.

Tang Zhuyun dealt with a foul-mouthed myna that unexpectedly became a favorite at the Prince of Jin's residence, then received a request to examine Madam Qin, the heir to the Marquis of Pingyang's wife. After learning through Meng Yulan that Madam Qin genuinely hoped to have a child, Tang Zhuyun agreed to meet her safely at the Tang family home.

• Tang Zhuyun discovered that the myna Eighth Master had been taught lewd phrases and argued with the Prince of Jin about keeping it; after its former owner refused to take it back, Eighth Master stayed at the residence and teased Jiaojiao.
• Tang Zhuyun received a calling card from Madam Qin and, after learning she had been divorced for having no children, decided not to meet her until she had consulted the Prince of Jin.
• The Prince of Jin said he had no dealings with Qin Li beyond the fact that he had once been pursued by Tang Zhuyun, and he left the decision about Madam Qin to her.
• Tang Zhuyun initially planned to decline Madam Qin's request, but Meng Yulan explained that her friend Madam Lu had asked on Madam Qin's behalf because she wanted a child.
• Tang Zhuyun agreed to examine Madam Qin, and Meng Yulan arranged for Madam Lu to bring her to the Tang family home under the pretext of a gathering.

Tang Zhuyun confronted Nanny Rong about pressuring her to have a child and made clear that she and the Prince of Jin had agreed to wait. Nanny Rong’s sudden change in behavior left Tang Zhuyun and Xiu'er wondering what she was trying to achieve.

• The Prince of Jin told Tang Zhuyun he would leave for the outskirts of the capital to investigate a case and would return the following day.
• Nanny Rong brought Tang Zhuyun red date soup and spoke of her soon having children with the Prince of Jin.
• Tang Zhuyun asked Nanny Rong to inventory old fabric and invited her to speak directly if something was wrong.
• Tang Zhuyun took a contraceptive pill and told Nanny Rong that she and the Prince of Jin had agreed to postpone having children.
• Nanny Rong warned Tang Zhuyun about the pills and urged her to conceive soon, while Xiu'er later said Nanny Rong had asked her to persuade Tang Zhuyun as well.
• Tang Zhuyun and Xiu'er wondered whether Nanny Rong was trying to cause a rift or declare war on Tang Zhuyun.

Tang Zhuyun examined Wen Dai and found her healthy, suggesting that the cause of their childlessness might be Qin Li. After she returned to the Prince of Jin’s residence, she learned that Qin Li had arrived in a fury, apparently over her meeting with Wen Dai.

• Tang Zhuyun met Qin Qiang and Wen Dai at Meng Yulan’s courtyard and confirmed Wen Dai’s health was excellent.
• Wen Dai asked Tang Zhuyun to keep any possible problem with Qin Li from him, and Tang Zhuyun said the Prince of Jin would need to be present for an examination.
• Tang Zhuyun declined to stay for a meal and went shopping for a special birthday gift for the Prince of Jin.
• Yanran told Tang Zhuyun that she and Jiaojiao had found lingzhi mushrooms, but a maid interrupted to report that Qin Li had come to the residence furious.
• Tang Zhuyun set out to see Qin Li and find out whether his anger was connected to her meeting with Wen Dai.

Tang Zhuyun confronted Qin Li after he accused her of sending him a handkerchief, then suspected Nanny Rong of arranging the scheme and ordered her movements watched. The chapter ended when Nanxing reported that Nanny Rong had been poisoned.

• Qin Li came to the prince's residence with Tang Zhuyun's handkerchief and accused her of secretly exchanging love tokens with him.
• Wen Dai explained that she had sought Tang Zhuyun's help and urged Qin Li to stop making a scene; she left with him after warning she would go home if he continued.
• Tang Zhuyun refused to accuse Nanny Rong without proof and said they would investigate when the prince returned.
• Nanny Rong denied giving anyone the handkerchief, knelt before Tang Zhuyun, and left without explaining herself.
• Tang Zhuyun told Xiu'er to have Nanxing watch Nanny Rong closely.
• Nanxing arrived and told Tang Zhuyun that Nanny Rong had been poisoned.

Tang Zhuyun treated Nanny Rong after she fell gravely ill from drinking lingzhi soup, while Yanran realized someone had set them up. The chapter left Nanny Rong’s fate uncertain as Tang Zhuyun urgently called for help.

• Tang Zhuyun took Yanran to Nanny Rong’s courtyard and learned that Nanny Rong had drunk lingzhi soup Yanran had shared with her.
• Yanran insisted she had not offered the lingzhi and concluded someone was framing her and Tang Zhuyun.
• Tang Zhuyun used silver needles to make Nanny Rong vomit, while Nanny Rong said she did not blame Tang Zhuyun.
• Linlin questioned Yanran, confirmed with Tang Zhuyun that Nanny Rong could be saved, and ordered the onlookers to leave.
• Xiu'er and Nanxing silenced the gathered servants and kept two behind to help clean up.
• Tang Zhuyun suddenly called for Xiu'er, asking whether Nanny Rong could be saved and telling her to fetch Meng Yulan.

Tang Zhuyun saved Nanny Rong after discovering she had swallowed poison and gold, while Meng Yulan and Linlin tried to contain the crisis. As Tang Zhuyun considered why Nanny Rong had acted so recklessly, she suspected someone had coerced her through her loyalty to the Prince of Jin.

• Meng Yulan tried to enter Nanny Rong's room, but Linlin stopped her and explained that Nanny Rong had swallowed gold as well as poison.
• Meng Yulan proposed summoning the prince, but Linlin warned that doing so could draw unwanted attention, so they kept the crisis contained.
• Meng Yulan sent Linlin to inform Tang Zhuyun's father and manage the guards while Yanran stayed with her.
• Tang Zhuyun finished treating Nanny Rong and went outside to speak with Meng Yulan, who reported that searches and questioning had uncovered no culprit.
• Tang Zhuyun and Meng Yulan agreed that Nanny Rong's sudden, reckless attack was unusual, and Tang Zhuyun wondered whether someone had forced her to act.
• Tang Zhuyun concluded that the Prince of Jin might be the weakness someone had used to control Nanny Rong.

Tang Zhuyun suspected Nanny Rong had turned against her to protect the Prince of Jin, so she devised a plan to learn the truth by making Nanny Rong appear dead. She left Nanny Rong under guard and waited to see how the Prince of Jin would react when he returned.

• Tang Zhuyun told Meng Yulan she suspected Nanny Rong was acting because the Prince of Jin was in danger, then asked Meng Yulan to guard the courtyard and keep the matter quiet.
• Tang Zhuyun stayed beside Nanny Rong until she woke at dawn and questioned her, but Nanny Rong denied swallowing gold and refused to explain herself.
• Tang Zhuyun decided to make Nanny Rong feign death with medicines and told Xiu'er to inform the prince that Nanny Rong had died.
• Word of Nanny Rong's death spread through the residence, and Tang Zhuyun left her courtyard under guard.
• Linlin asked Tang Zhuyun whether she would tell his father, and she said she would wait to observe the Prince of Jin's reaction before explaining privately.

Tang Zhuyun reassured Xiu'er and Yanran that she trusted the Prince of Jin to uncover who had framed her. When the Prince of Jin returned to the residence and noticed something was wrong, he hurried toward Nanny Rong's courtyard to find out what had happened.

• Tang Zhuyun told Xiu'er she believed the Prince of Jin would trust her, then rested and checked on Nanny Rong.
• Yanran confessed that the lingzhi had not been at the place where she and Cui Xiaoqiu found it, and Tang Zhuyun comforted her for being used to frame her.
• Yanran offered to explain matters to her father and return to the Tang Family with Tang Zhuyun, but Tang Zhuyun urged her to give the Prince of Jin a chance to investigate.
• The Prince of Jin returned with Song Jingyang and noticed Xiu'er and the servants acting strangely.
• Xiu'er told the Prince of Jin to see for himself, and he hurried to Nanny Rong's courtyard as Nanxing lifted the curtain for him.

Tang Zhuyun told the Prince of Jin that Nanny Rong had appeared to poison herself and accuse her, but he trusted Tang Zhuyun and heard her account of the suspicions surrounding Nanny Rong. Tang Zhuyun revealed that Nanny Rong was alive and suggested turning the plot against its hidden instigator; Nanny Rong woke, while Nanny Jing insisted she would never harm the prince.

• The Prince of Jin found Nanny Rong apparently dead, and Tang Zhuyun said she had been poisoned and had swallowed gold while blaming Tang Zhuyun.
• The Prince of Jin declared that he trusted Tang Zhuyun, despite his grief and disbelief that Nanny Rong might have plotted against her.
• Tang Zhuyun recounted the events that had made her suspect Nanny Rong wanted to harm her, including a suspicious handkerchief.
• Tang Zhuyun revealed that Nanny Rong was alive and explained that she had staged the apparent death to make Nanny Rong confess; she proposed turning the scheme against its hidden instigator.
• Nanny Rong regained consciousness, and Nanny Jing arrived and insisted that Nanny Rong would never harm the Prince of Jin.

Tang Zhuyun and the Prince of Jin staged a quarrel so she could return to the Tang Family while he investigated who had manipulated Nanny Rong. After hearing Tang Zhuyun’s account, Tang Mingfan began investigating the Xiao Family and asked her to name everyone still there.

• Nanny Rong acted delirious after eating poisonous mushrooms, and the Prince of Jin decided to wait for her wound to heal before questioning her and investigating who had forced her into the situation.
• The Prince of Jin sent Tang Zhuyun to her family home under the pretense that she had quarreled with him, hoping to draw out anyone still contacting Nanny Rong.
• Tang Zhuyun and Xiu'er made a loud show of leaving the prince’s residence, while the Prince of Jin promised to explain the situation to her family.
• Tang Zhuyun told her family what had happened, and Tang Baixin and Meng Yulan reassured her that the Prince of Jin was trying to protect her.
• Tang Mingfan sent Linlin and Yanran outside, then asked Tang Zhuyun to name everyone remaining in the Xiao Family.

Tang Zhuyun learned that the Xiao Family’s downfall had rested on conclusive evidence of colluding with foreign enemies, though surviving members might now be involved in targeting her. She decided not to tell the Prince of Jin until the investigation produced firm evidence, and stayed with her family while they looked into the matter.

• Tang Zhuyun and Tang Mingfan suspected that members of the Xiao Family had survived and might be connected to Nanny Rong’s betrayal.
• Tang Mingfan told Tang Zhuyun that the Xiao Family had been ruined by conclusive evidence of colluding with foreign enemies, not a baseless accusation.
• Tang Mingfan and Tang Baixin reassured Tang Zhuyun that the Prince of Jin was unlikely to be in danger or become emperor because of his maternal family.
• Tang Mingfan suspected the Xiao Family’s remnants were targeting Tang Zhuyun because they believed she distracted the Prince of Jin from serious matters.
• Tang Zhuyun chose not to tell the Prince of Jin about her suspicions, and Meng Yulan advised her to wait until the evidence was conclusive.
• Xiu'er said she would postpone her wedding until the Xiao Family mystery was solved.

Tang Zhuyun learned that Sister Yuan had inherited Old Madam Xue’s divine strength, then discussed the Xiao Family investigation and its painful history with the Prince of Jin. The Prince of Jin led Tang Zhuyun to check on the unconscious Nanny Rong, though she misunderstood his intentions.

• Meng Yulan told Tang Zhuyun that Sister Yuan was unusually strong and had smashed her bamboo cradle, a trait she had inherited from Old Madam Xue.
• Xiu'er worried that Meng Yulan might arrange a betrothal between the children, and Tang Zhuyun agreed they should be cautious.
• Song Jingyang reassured Xiu'er that the Prince of Jin did not blame Tang Zhuyun, then revealed that Xiao Pang had torn his sleeve.
• The Prince of Jin told Tang Zhuyun that Xiao Pang believed someone from the Xiao Family had survived and that someone had helped him escape.
• Tang Zhuyun comforted the Prince of Jin as he explained that his mother had refused to survive after the Xiao Family's downfall.
• The Prince of Jin took Tang Zhuyun to see Nanny Rong, who remained unconscious, while Tang Zhuyun mistakenly thought he had other intentions.